Female Reproductive System: Structure & Function

The female reproductive system is the female body parts that help us:

The female reproductive anatomy includes both external and internal parts.

~ Vagina:

Our vagina is a muscular canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside of the body.
It can widen to accommodate a baby during delivery and then shrink back to hold something narrow like a tampon.
It’s lined with mucous membranes that help keep it moist.

~ Cervix:

Our cervix is the lowest part of your uterus.
A hole in the middle allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to exit.
Our cervix opens (dilates) to allow a baby to come out during a vaginal childbirth.
Our cervix is what prevents things like tampons from getting lost inside your body.

~ Uterus:

~ Fallopian tubes:

These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of your uterus and serve as pathways for our egg (ovum) to travel from your ovaries to your uterus.
Fertilization of an egg by sperm normally occurs in the fallopian tubes.
The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants into your uterine lining.

~ Ovaries:

Ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of your uterus.
Our ovaries produce eggs and hormones.

The function of your external genitals are to protect the internal parts from infection and allow sperm to enter our vagina.
Our vulva is the collective name for all our external genitals. A lot of people mistakenly use the term “vagina” to describe all female reproductive parts. However, your vagina is its own structure located inside your body.
The main parts of your vulva or external genitals are:

~ Labia majora:

Our labia majora (“large lips”) enclose and protect the other external reproductive organs.
During puberty, hair growth occurs on the skin of the labia majora, which also contain sweat and oil-secreting glands.

~ Labia minora:

Our labia minora (“small lips”) can have a variety of sizes and shapes.
They lie just inside your labia majora, and surround the opening to your vagina (the canal that joins the lower part of your uterus to the outside of your body) and urethra (the tube that carries pee from your bladder to the outside of your body).
This skin is very delicate and can become easily irritated and swollen.

~ Clitoris:

Our two labia minora meet at your clitoris, a small, sensitive protrusion that’s comparable to a penis.
Our clitoris is covered by a fold of skin called the prepuce and is very sensitive to stimulation.

~ Vaginal opening:

Our vaginal opening allows menstrual blood and babies to exit your body.
Tampons, fingers, sex toys or penises can go inside your vagina through your vaginal opening.

~ Hymen:

Our hymen is a piece of tissue covering or surrounding part of your vaginal opening.
It’s formed during development and present during birth.

~ Opening to Our urethra.

The opening to your urethra is the hole you pee from.
The urethra is part of your urinary system.
This system is made up of your kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra.
Our kidneys clean your blood and produce urine, a waste product.
From your two kidneys, two ureters move the urine to the bladder, where it’s stored until you urinate (pee).

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Healthdirect. Female reproductive system (https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/female-reproductive-system). Accessed 11/28/2022.
Merck Manual. Menstrual Cycle (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/menstrual-cycle). Accessed 11/28/2022.
Planned Parenthood. What are the parts of the female sexual anatomy? (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/health-and-wellness/sexual-and-reproductive-anatomy/what-are-parts-female-sexual-anatomy) Accessed 11/28/2022.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your Changing Body: Puberty in Girls (https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Your-Changing-Body-Puberty-in-Girls-Especially-for-Teens). Accessed 11/28/2022.
US Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health. How the female reproductive system works (https://www.girlshealth.gov/body/reproductive/system.html). Accessed 11/28/2022.